-Enters all sneaky-like- Yes, it is I, The Hooded Menace, bringing you a chapter with more new plot twists! Any questions you may have I will answer, just message me or include them in your review. You are reviewing, right? Because if you don't, Charley will hurt you.

Disclaimer - I do not currently own Teen Titans. Charley, however, is my own creation. If you don't remember him, reread the previous chapter. Now.

The Power Of The Sea -

Complications

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The villain paced aimlessly, scheming aloud. "The best way to defeat Aqualad is to get him completely out of his element – I know! I'll trick him into going to a desert, where I'll be waiting to destroy him! Mwuahahaha!" Then, Trident thought about the idea more, and realized its fatal flaw, "As amazing as I am, I would be equally as vulnerable anywhere without water. Perhaps I should clone myself again and have the clones besiege him. But," he mused, "Last time they had the audacity to claim that they were the originals, rather than me, which is completely unacceptable. No, that will not do."

Plot after plot was discarded by the fishy foe, each having a fatal flaw; Aqualad's strengths and weaknesses were difficult for him to manipulate without a negative affect on him as well. Other villains would have gone back to their evil lairs to pout and call one of their equally evil friends for help, but Trident's immense ego would not allow him that luxury. Instead, he continued to scheme and continued to pace, glancing from time to time up at his enemy. "Fool," he muttered, "Wasting time frolicking with that girl. He ought to be training in order to be an opponent more worthy of me, rather than acting like an infatuated schoolboy!" He scowled as he watched Aqualad guide Raven through the water, helping her with a basic crawl stroke, accidentally getting splashed in the eye, starting a water fight, laughing – all which was very irritating to the baddie, until he was struck by a flash of inspiration. "It may be easy enough for my foe to vanquish me when we are fighting alone in the ocean," he laughed, "But with a non-aquatic friend? He'd be trying to save her instead of focusing on me. That way, I could destroy him and his little friend too!" Satisfied, Trident dove into the sea and headed for his lair. He had a demise to plan.

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A dripping Raven climbed out of the pool. Droplets of water clung to every part of her body, which, combined with the light breeze, instantly chilled her. Shivering, she wrung out water from her hair and reached for her towel, which she just couldn't find, because Aqualad took it. Before she could protest, he snuck up from behind and wrapped it around her like a cocoon that protected her from the wind and the cold. It took her a moment to realize that his arms were around her as well. She squirmed a little, but let herself enjoy it when the Atlantian said, "Hey, can't let my favorite Titan freeze to death. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I did." He was enjoying himself even more than she was; he would happily hold onto her forever. Today, they had worked together as if they had known each other for so much longer than they actually had, and had gotten so much accomplished. It was ironic, then, that the very same connection that helped them to get along so well would also make them part faster. But why was he thinking about parting now, he wondered, as he had only been there for a matter of days. There was so much more to teach her, and more to overcome. If he had it his way, Aqualad would be staying for a long time, with her, and hopefully like now, alone, with his arms around her. Looking down at her, he noticed a strand of violet had made its way to her nose, and from the way it was twitching, he surmised that it was tickling her. Gently, he brushed it away to join the rest of her hair, marveling at how silky it was. She leaned her head back against his chest and relaxed, feeling safe and utterly at ease.

"Raven?" he asked, in a soft tone.

"Hm?"

"I was wondering, I mean I wanted to ask –"

Just then, the Boy Wonder leapt into view. "Hey Raven, Aqualad, aren't you two coming in to ea—Am I interrupting something?"

"No," Raven said quickly, but the crimson flush on her cheeks and the explosion of poor Charley told otherwise. Aqualad unwillingly let go of her, and they meekly followed Robin downstairs.

"Rae, could you bring me Starfire?" asked the leader, "Um, she needs to feed Silkie before we eat."

The empath nodded, and turned into a different hall than the two guys. When she was out of range, Robin turned to Aqualad.

"Look, I don't know what you're up to with Raven," he hissed, not letting the other teen get a word in, "But I do know this – If you hurt her in any way, I'm not the only one who will willingly break every bone in your body. Got it?"

"Fair enough."

"Good." With that, Robin stalked off, but not without a threatening glare. The Atlantian sighed. This could get complicated.